Geneva, UN experts today called for the immediate reinstatement of funding to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), following an independent review that found no evidence supporting claims of partiality. The review was initiated after allegations surfaced linking UNRWA employees with terrorist organizations during the military assault on Gaza in October 2023.

According to Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the independent review concluded that UNRWA maintains a robust approach to neutrality with effective controls in place. This comes amid broader accusations aimed at undermining the integrity and impartiality of various UN humanitarian and human rights bodies over the past several months.

The experts highlighted that the unsubstantiated claims have led some states to pause funding, significantly impacting UNRWA’s operations in Gaza. They noted that no other entity is capable of delivering the necessary scale of assistance to the 2.2 million people in Gaza who are in urgent need.

The suspension of funds, based on allegations surrounding the October 7 attacks in Israel, has not only restricted UNRWA’s capacity but also placed its staff in peril. Since October 7, 2023, 189 UNRWA staff members have been killed, marking the highest number of UN personnel fatalities in any conflict since the organization’s founding in 1945.

The experts strongly supported the European Union’s stance, urging international donors who have withheld funding to resume their financial support to UNRWA without delay. They emphasized the critical need for protection of UN operations and facilities in Gaza, especially as the region faces severe humanitarian crises, including famine and extensive displacement, with 1.7 million internally displaced persons, predominantly women and children, in the Rafah area alone.

In conclusion, the experts called for a global acknowledgment of UNRWA’s role not only as a vital UN subsidiary but also as a key entity upholding the permanent responsibility of the United Nations towards the Palestinian question, underlining its essential function in sustaining the lives of Palestinian refugees across multiple sectors.